Bill > S1664

This bill aims to address the financial challenges faced by graduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers in the United States by establishing comprehensive policy guidelines. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is required to develop a consistent set of guidelines within six months, in consultation with various stakeholders, focusing on key areas such as increasing stipends (with considerations for location and rural/underserved areas), improving access to medical care, affordable housing, transportation, reducing food insecurity, and supporting family care costs. Federal research agencies must implement these guidelines within six months of receiving them, and the OSTP will monitor their progress. The bill also mandates data collection on researcher stipends and financial instability, requires the National Science Foundation to fund research on this issue, and calls for a comprehensive assessment by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will conduct a study to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of these guidelines, with the ultimate goal of improving the financial stability and well-being of researchers across various academic disciplines and regions.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1664/all-info